Every semester of high school I always capped my absences and I even went above. Did I miss tests on purpose? Frequently. To the teachers who gave me harder versions when I came back, I appreciate the challenge. Did I take extended lunches because I wanted more time to eat? I’ll admit it. Did I almost get kicked out of tutorial for missing so much? Absolutely. Did I get called down three weeks into the quarter for reaching eight absences? I did. Did I sign an attendance contract every year? They made me.
However, some part of me does regret the days I missed and I wish I could go back. I miss the moments in class with my teachers and classmates and I’ll cherish the memories I have forever. If I would’ve known my time in high school would be cut short then maybe I would’ve wanted to be in class more. I can’t go back and do things differently but the days I was at school turned out to be some good days and I’m happy I experienced them.
That wraps up the sappy, sad part of my column, because I have a strict word count and want to write about something useful. Now I will bestow helpful tricks that I can’t attest to personally, however there’s a right to know. I’ll share these hypothetical situations. If you ever were in class with a substitute and you told them you were called out, you’d be able to leave and go home without signing out.
Getting to and from Hydrangea for a coffee in the same amount of time it does for you to go to your locker isn’t hard. Leaving fourth hour early during lunch to get your food at Farms before everyone is helpful, especially when there is a first floor window you can exit. I figured I should say, the creativity of ways to dishonestly succeed may be looked down on by society, but at least it’s thinking outside the box, so that’ll take you places. I’m not saying cheat, but I wouldn’t look down on you for doing it.
I want to dedicate this paragraph to some people weighing on my mind. Lauren, thank you for constantly opening up the doors for me when I showed up to school late and always making sure the S-Lot parking monitor wasn’t by the door. Thank you for letting me use your S Lot pass for first semester, you helped me avoid a lot of tardies.
To hall monitor Krissie, who is no longer with us, thank you for not writing me up when I was running in the halls. Sorry I didn’t stop running when you told me because I couldn’t get a detention for being tardy. But thanks for following me to class then not writing me up.
Imran, I’m sorry I used to put nails in your locker so you couldn’t open it. Also, sorry for not showing up in APES the day of our presentation. I was not at the dentist. I’m sorry we got a D, that’s probably the lowest grade you’ve gotten in your life.
My wonderful teachers, I’ll miss you. Mr. Adams, never erase my name which I wrote on your class rock, twice. I missed many tests, but it was nothing personal. I even walked out right as one was starting. My apologies. Unfortunately, you only got to have me as a student for one year, then our interactions were reduced to mere passing time chats.
My chemistry teacher, Ms. Copus. I’m still waiting for chemistry Chace Crawford to go up on your wall and never forget me when you listen to “Boo’d Up”. Thank you for never blinking when I came up during a test and said “Blink if I got the answer right”.
To Ms. Shelson, I’m sorry I did terribly in class but I love you and look back on my Algebra 2 days fondly. I’ll miss our Christmas stockings hanging in the front of the room, talking about your couples trip to Mexico and watching N’Sync.
Lastly, to Mr. Hamka, we started out rough with the whole Tower party, but we’ve grown. There is one thing I want you to remember, which is red Solo cups are never an admission of underage drinking. Especially not at the Tower party. I wish you the best continuing to lead South. Goodbye, South. I can’t believe it’s already over, but it’s been an amazing four years.